Duke in the MLB: Former Blue Devils shine in MLB's inaugural Spring Breakout

This year, MLB introduced Spring Breakout, a four-day event that aimed to highlight the best young talent across the league. Across the 30 MLB teams, Duke had 6 players participate as up-and-coming prospects hoping to crack the big league roster. Let’s examine how each of them fared during the event and throughout spring training:

OF Griffin Conine

No former Blue Devil had a better Spring Breakout performance than Conine, as the former Durham star was named first team All-Spring Breakout. The outfielder made the most of his sole game during the event, going 2-for-3 with a two-run homer off Cardinals Minor League pitcher of the year Max Rajcic. Check out that bomb here: 

OF Joey Loperfido

After an excellent season in the minor leagues last year, Loperfido has continued to make his mark in the buildup to the 2024 season. The utility player was tabbed as the sixth-best prospect in the Astros farm system, and he has certainly looked the part thus far. Through 14 games this Spring, the former Blue Devil is hitting .393 with five doubles, one triple and five RBIs. If his hot streak at the plate can continue, Houston’s Minor League player of the year could find his way into the major leagues in no time. Check out one of the doubles here:

Pauley is another former Duke bat who has helped his case this spring, as the Padres' prospect has been extremely solid at the dish so far. Through 16 games, the Alpharetta, Ga., native sports a .314 batting average that includes a double, triple, home run and three RBIs. He was named to the Padres Spring Breakout roster, but the team has yet to play their game due to rain. However, the Blue Devil alum may have already done enough, as he seems to be on track to compete for the starting third-base job for San Diego. He was named to the Opening Day roster and pinch hit for the Padres in the Seoul Series — an official regular-season game. 

SS Alex Mooney

Mooney was drafted in 2023 after a solid career at Duke, and he has already found himself among the top young talents in the Guardians' system. The shortstop was named to the Spring Breakout roster for the club after being named the No. 22 prospect for the team. However, Mooney did not see an at-bat during the event and will likely be in Single-A to begin the season. He spent his first season at that level with the Lynchburg Hillcats.

P Henry Williams

Williams is one of two pitchers that played in Durham and were named to Spring Breakout, as the right-hander was named to the Royals’ roster as the 29th best prospect in the Kansas City farm system. However, the Darien, Conn., native has not thrown any innings in spring training yet. The former third-round pick will have a chance to rise up the Minor-League ranks this season after posting a 3.38 ERA in Single-A once he moved from the Padres’ to the Royals’ system last year.

P Marcus Johnson

Johnson has continued to work his way up the Rays’ system. The former fourth-round selection had a solid 3.74 ERA over 130 innings of work last season in Single-A. He has not seen much action in this year’s spring training, but the hurler made the most of his opportunity, throwing one scoreless inning and picking up a strikeout. The No. 21 prospect in the Rays' system will be a name to watch as he looks to crack the major league bullpen, with an expected ETA of 2025 according to MLB.com. 

Make sure to check out all of these former Blue Devils, including other major leaguers such as Marcus Stroman and Bryce Jarvis, once the season officially begins March 28.